1. Are You Registered with the Registrar of Pesticides?
In Sri Lanka, legitimate pest control companies are registered under the Registrar of Pesticides. Registration means the company is accountable for the chemicals it uses and how it applies them. Always ask — and be wary of anyone who dodges the question.
2. What Chemicals Do You Use, and Are They WHO-Approved?
A professional should name the exact products they use and explain their safety profile. WHO-approved, low-toxic formulations protect your family and pets while still eliminating pests. If the answer is vague — "don't worry, it's safe" — keep looking.
3. Do You Inspect Before Quoting?
No honest company can quote accurately without seeing the problem. A proper inspection identifies the pest species, the scale of the infestation, and entry points. Sunkem International provides free site inspections before any treatment recommendation.
4. What's Included in the Price?
Ask whether the quote covers follow-up visits, monitoring, and re-treatment if pests return. The cheapest quote often covers a single spray with no accountability — which costs more when the problem comes back.
5. What Safety Precautions Do You Take?
Professionals explain exactly what you need to do before and after treatment: how long to keep children and pets away, whether food surfaces need covering, and when treated areas are safe again.
6. Are Your Technicians Trained and Experienced?
Chemical application is a skill. Ask how technicians are trained and how long the company has operated. Sunkem's directors hold B.Sc (Agriculture) degrees with over 20 years of industry experience, and every technician is trained in-house.
7. Can You Handle Commercial Compliance Requirements?
If you run a restaurant, hotel, or food facility, your pest control partner must understand HACCP and audit requirements — including documentation, treatment records, and audit-ready reports.
8. Can You Provide References?
Established companies have long-term clients happy to vouch for them. Sunkem International has protected 900+ properties across Sri Lanka since 2012, including major food and beverage manufacturers and hospitality brands.
The Bottom Line
Good pest control is a professional service, not a commodity. A licensed, transparent company with proper products and follow-up will always cost less in the long run than a cheap operator who masks the problem. See our full range of residential and commercial services, or talk to our team for straight answers to all eight questions.
